An annual winter seven-day dharma practice
association was held at the Nanputuo Temple in the Buddha recitation hall from
December 28th, 2017 to January 10th, 2018. The entire
monastery and various devout believers of Buddhism, conducted the practice of
Pure Land Buddhism . They were practicing and chanting the name of Buddha for
seven days. On the evening of December 27th, Nanputuo Temple held
the sprinkling ceremony in front of the altar of the Buddha in the recitation
hall of the Buddha. The ceremony was entrusted by the abbot of Grand Monk Zewu,
the Chief of the Nanputuo Temple and the Master Zhichang presided over the
sprinkling ceremony.
At 6:00 p.m., the monks of the temple and
Buddhist practitioners gathered in the Buddha recitation hall, chanting,
singing and praising under the leadership of a master. With the chanting sound
around, the scene was pure and sublime. Afterwards, in the solemn
"mantra" blessing sound, Master Zhichang led the monks to carry on
the sprinkling ceremony and pray for the care of the Three Treasures with deep
reverence, hoping that the seven-day Amitabha Buddha Dharma practice would be
both successful and auspicious.
After the sprinkling ceremony, Master Zhichang
proclaimed: “there are 84,000 teachings of the Buddha methods which are
available; however, chanting the name of the Buddha is the most convenient,
direct and reliable way to practice Buddhism. In Han (Chinese) Buddhism, it is
quite common to do such seven-day praying continuously. Having gathered
together heart without obstruction, we dedicated our
mind to the name of Amitabha and we have actually received a good training. The
training results would not be satisfactory if we could not be concentrated. We
have to be consciously dedicated and take care of our thoughts, diligently
contemplating the virtues of the Buddha that we could establish the sensation
with Amitabha and truly feel the compassion and willingness of Amitabha.
"
